Transportation

BRYANT, Ark. (KTHV) - The Bryant Street Department is making improvements to a heavily traveled road in the city.

Those who have traveled down Boone Road recently probably have noticed a sign stating that improvements would be coming soon. So far, the city has begun to replace culverts and moving water lines in preparation for a bigger project.

Similar to the improvements that were made along Springhill Road, the Bryant Street Department will complete an overlay as well as widening and adding of shoulders along this 1.5 mile stretch of road.

All of the work being completed is staying within the existing right of way but will address some very strong safety considerations that are had in this area.

BRYANT, Ark. - Bryant residents will soon have a new gateway into the city located at the Echo Lake Blvd. overpass, formerly known as Raymar Overpass.

Optimistically the completion date could be as early as late in 2017.

According to Mayor Jill Dabbs, the City Council voted last year to enter into a partnership with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department to “fast track the project that will improve traffic flow and spur economic development for the city.”

Bryant’s growth over the past four years, according to Metroplan, has almost reached 20 percent.

“The vision of the city council and Mayor to invest in this project in an expedited manner will greatly benefit Bryant by creating additional traffic flow options and lead to additional job growth in Bryant,” said Planning Commissioner Jonathan Long.

BRYANT, Ark. - According to the Bryant officials, the City of Bryant receives phone calls from concerned residents regarding excess vehicular speeds in their neighborhoods almost weekly.

Dana Poindexter, assistant of the mayor, stated that in some instances traffic control devices have been utilized to encourage speeders to slow down. In other cases the police department have been asked to set up within neighborhoods to run radar and write citations.

As an alternative, the City of Bryant Public Works Department is proposing to place temporary traffic circles at selected neighborhood intersections, one in each of the four City wards. While such devices are fairly new to this area, they have long been used with great success in other cities around the country.

BENTON, Ark. (KTHV) - A 17-year-old female died early Thursday morning after crashing her vehicle into a home located near Northshore Drive Wednesday night.

The Benton Police Department responded to an accident around 11:14 p.m. Wednesday, July 29. According to reports, the girl driving the car was traveling west on Northshore Drive, when the vehicle veered off the roadway and crashed into the rear end of a home on Jasmine Drive.

The girl was quickly transported via med flight to a hospital in Little Rock. At around 3 a.m., police received word that the girl had succumbed to her injuries and passed away.

This incident is still under investigation. Stay with THV11 for more updates.

BENTON, Ark. (KTHV) - Members of Central Arkansas Operation Impact Traffic Enforcement Group will conduct a month long traffic initiative focusing on railroad crossing safety and pedestrians trespassing on railroad property in August.

According to national non-profit organization Operation Lifesaver, a vehicle or person is hit by a train every three hours in the U.S. Arkansas was ranked number 15 in a list of states that have the highest percentage of rail grade collisions in the United States. These same statistics show that 73 percent of all highway-rail crossing fatalities for 2014 occurred in just 15 states, again with Arkansas in the list ranked at 14.

For the month of August, officials will be enforcing the rules regarding railroad safety. Lt. Curtis Wood with Central Arkansas Operation Impact Traffic Enforcement stated that anyone who tries to risk their life trying to beat an approaching train they will be cited.

Crews will repair concrete on the Old Military Road (County Rd. 17) bridge over Interstate 30 in Benton. The work will require closing the inside and outside lanes of Interstate 30 westbound between mile markers 108 and 105.

The westbound outside lane closure will be Monday, November 3rd, between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., weather permitting.

The westbound inside lane closure will be Tuesday, November 4th, between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., weather permitting. Traffic will be controlled using barrels and warning signs.

This bridge was constructed in 1963. It is 212 ft. long and 32 ft. wide.